Chorion Secures Deals for New Noddy Series

LONDON, September 9:
Chorion has completed broadcast deals with Five in the U.K. and France 5 for Noddy
In Toyland, the brand-new series
in the hit preschool franchise.

Based on the book by Enid
Blyton, which has continuously been in print since 1949, Noddy In Toyland
is currently in production and
will broadcast in the spring of 2009 on Five’s preschool strand Milkshake! to be followed by broadcast on Les Zouzous on France 5 in the summer.

Noddy will be joined by an
ensemble cast including Tessie Bear, Bumpy Dog and new friend Whiz the Robot in
a series of adventures that will focus on play and community. This latest Noddy series has a new animated style making the
characters appear like real plush toys. The CGI series is being animated by
Brown Bag Films, with Ian Carney (Shaun the Sheep, Chop Socky Chooks) as head writer.

Chorion recently signed a
number of licensing partners for the brand, which celebrates its 60th anniversary
in 2009, including NSR as master toy licensee, Spin Master as distributor in
the U.K., Lansay in France and Bandai in Spain.

Chorion will kick off the
celebrations in November 2008 with a consumer and retail marketing campaign
leading up to the 2009 debut of the new TV series, along with a toy range and a
new live experience.

Geraint Marsh, the head of
TV sales at Chorion, said: “The new Noddy In Toyland is inspired by Enid Blyton’s original books and we
are excited to bring a fresh, contemporary animated series to a whole new group
of preschool children, building on the incredible heritage of the property. We
value our long-standing relationship with Five and France 5, committed and
supportive partners of Noddy.”

—By Jackie Stewart